BANKING TRADE AND COMMERCE

CHANGES IN PATTERN AND ORGANISATION OF TRADE

The pattern and organization of trade which mainly depends upon the general economic situation, agrarian structure, industrial progress, convenient facilities of transport and communications and institutional framework have undergone radical changes since the beginning of this century.

In the past the pattern of trade was mainly based on the partly self-sufficient economy existing then. The cultivators and craftsmen were economically poor and they were dependent upon the landlords. The trade was, in the past, hampered due to inconvenient transport and communications facilities existing in the district.

As a matter of fact the dense forests and hills in the district must have obstructed the improvement in trade and communications. This state of affairs affected the wants and the general requirements of the people which more or less revolved round their local production only. Whatever was produced was almost entirely consumed locally. Cloth, salt, spices, cutlery, building materials and a few food articles were imported, while some foodgrains, fruits, etc., were exported. The volume and value of import and export trade was much smaller than at present.

Since the regulation of markets under Maharashtra Agricultural Produce Marketing (Regulation) Act, 1963 there has been a significant change in the organization of trade. The regulation of primary trade transactions at all the principal markets viz., Bhandara, Gondia, Lakhani, Amgaon, Tirora and Pauni in the district is an important landmark in the history of agricultural marketing. Today the transactions of sale and purchase of agricultural produce are held under the supervision of the market committees. This has strengthened the bargaining power of the agriculturists and has also helped in reducing several mal-practices and irregularities inherent in the state of unregulated trade. Cooperative societies have also emerged as a great force in the marketing of agricultural produce. They compete with other commission agents and help the agriculturists in getting better prices.

Another event in influencing the organization and pattern of trade is the introduction of State trading in foodgrains. Government has introduced the system of monopoly procurement for jowar and paddy, under which private trade of these foodgrains is totally banned. Government is the sole agency for the purchase and distribution of these food-grains through the Maharashtra State Co-operative Marketing Federation. Besides, wheat, sugar and other food-grains are also distributed through fair price shops;.

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